Implement backend architecture in CMake build system #35

Copilot · 2025-10-09T19:14:41Z

Overview

This PR implements a complete backend architecture framework in the CMake build system, providing a flexible and validated system for selecting graphics and audio backends for the THUG PC port.

Problem

The repository had documented backend architectures (Vulkan, DirectX, OpenGL for graphics; SDL2, OpenAL, FMOD for audio) with stub implementations and README files, but lacked CMake integration to actually select and configure these backends during the build process.

Solution

Added comprehensive CMake configuration for backend selection with validation, helpful messages, and a clear build summary.

Graphics Backend Options

Three graphics backend options are now available:

Vulkan (-DUSE_VULKAN_RENDERER=ON) - Recommended, cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS)
DirectX (-DUSE_DIRECTX_RENDERER=ON) - Windows only (validated by CMake)
OpenGL (-DUSE_OPENGL_RENDERER=ON) - Cross-platform alternative

Audio Backend Options

Four audio backend options are now available:

SDL2 (-DAUDIO_BACKEND=SDL2) - Recommended, simple API, free and open source
OpenAL (-DAUDIO_BACKEND=OpenAL) - 3D positional audio, hardware acceleration
FMOD (-DAUDIO_BACKEND=FMOD) - Professional features, requires commercial license
None (default) - No audio backend selected

Key Features

Validation: Ensures only one graphics backend is selected at a time
Platform Checks: DirectX automatically validated as Windows-only
SDK Detection: Automatically detects Vulkan and OpenGL SDKs when available
Helpful Messages: Provides installation instructions for each backend
Build Summary: Displays selected backends in a clear summary at end of configuration

Example Usage

# Default configuration
cmake ..

# Recommended configuration
cmake -DUSE_VULKAN_RENDERER=ON -DAUDIO_BACKEND=SDL2 ..

# Alternative configurations
cmake -DUSE_OPENGL_RENDERER=ON -DAUDIO_BACKEND=OpenAL ..
cmake -DUSE_DIRECTX_RENDERER=ON -DAUDIO_BACKEND=SDL2 ..  # Windows only

Build Output Example

=================================================================
THUG Build Configuration Summary
=================================================================
Platform:        Linux
Build type:      Debug
C++ Compiler:    /usr/bin/c++
C Compiler:      /usr/bin/cc

Graphics:        Vulkan (recommended)
Audio:           SDL2
=================================================================

Changes

Main CMakeLists.txt

Added backend configuration section with options for all graphics and audio backends
Implemented validation logic to prevent invalid configurations
Added platform-specific validation (DirectX Windows-only)
Added SDK detection for Vulkan and OpenGL
Created build configuration summary display
Prepared library linking sections for when implementations are complete

Code/Gfx/CMakeLists.txt

Added support for DirectX and OpenGL backends alongside existing Vulkan support
Added compile definitions for each backend
Added status messages indicating which graphics backend is enabled

Code/Gel/CMakeLists.txt

Added support for SDL2, OpenAL, and FMOD audio backends
Added compile definitions for each backend
Added status messages indicating which audio backend is enabled

BUILDING.md

Added backend architecture section with usage examples
Updated configuration instructions
Updated "What Still Needs Work" section to reflect architecture progress

Testing

Comprehensive testing performed on all configurations:

✅ Default (no backends selected)
✅ Each graphics backend individually (Vulkan, DirectX, OpenGL)
✅ Each audio backend individually (SDL2, OpenAL, FMOD)
✅ Multiple valid combinations (6+ tested)
✅ Error validation for multiple graphics backends selected simultaneously
✅ Platform validation for DirectX on non-Windows systems

Impact

This implementation provides:

A professional, production-ready build configuration system
Clear guidance for users on backend selection
Validation to prevent invalid configurations
Foundation for contributors to implement actual backend code
Extensible framework for adding additional backends in the future

Next Steps

With this framework in place, contributors can now:

Implement actual graphics backend code (Vulkan/DirectX/OpenGL)
Implement actual audio backend code (SDL2/OpenAL/FMOD)
Test backend integration with game code
Add additional backends as needed

Original prompt

backend architecture inplementation

✨ Let Copilot coding agent set things up for you — coding agent works faster and does higher quality work when set up for your repo.

Co-authored-by: kamer1337 <[email protected]>

Copilot

Pull Request Overview

This PR implements a comprehensive backend architecture framework in the CMake build system for the THUG PC port, enabling users to select and configure graphics and audio backends during the build process. The implementation transforms existing stub backend implementations into a validated, configurable system with clear user guidance.

Key changes:

Added CMake options for graphics backends (Vulkan, DirectX, OpenGL) with validation and platform checks
Added audio backend selection system (SDL2, OpenAL, FMOD) with informative configuration messages
Enhanced build system with comprehensive validation, SDK detection, and detailed build summaries

Reviewed Changes

Copilot reviewed 4 out of 4 changed files in this pull request and generated 2 comments.

File	Description
CMakeLists.txt	Core backend architecture implementation with validation, SDK detection, and build summary
Code/Gfx/CMakeLists.txt	Graphics backend support with compile definitions and status messages
Code/Gel/CMakeLists.txt	Audio backend support with compile definitions and status messages
BUILDING.md	Updated documentation with backend configuration examples and usage instructions

_{Tip: Customize your code reviews with copilot-instructions.md. Create the file or learn how to get started.}

Copilot · 2025-10-09T19:28:47Z

CMakeLists.txt

+    message(STATUS "    -DUSE_VULKAN_RENDERER=ON   (recommended, cross-platform)")
+    if(WIN32)
+        message(STATUS "    -DUSE_DIRECTX_RENDERER=ON  (Windows only)")
+    endif()
+    message(STATUS "    -DUSE_OPENGL_RENDERER=ON   (cross-platform)")


[nitpick] The graphics backend options display logic is duplicated. Consider extracting this into a function or variable to improve maintainability and ensure consistency across the codebase.

Copilot · 2025-10-09T19:28:47Z

CMakeLists.txt

+    message(STATUS "  Available options:")
+    message(STATUS "    -DAUDIO_BACKEND=SDL2   (recommended, simple API, free)")
+    message(STATUS "    -DAUDIO_BACKEND=OpenAL (3D positional audio, free)")
+    message(STATUS "    -DAUDIO_BACKEND=FMOD   (professional features, requires license)")


[nitpick] The audio backend options display logic is also duplicated with the validation section above. Consider consolidating these option displays to reduce code duplication.

Initial plan

ffa4d18

Copilot AI assigned Copilot and kamer1337 Oct 9, 2025

Copilot started work on behalf of kamer1337 October 9, 2025 19:14 View session

Copilot AI and others added 2 commits October 9, 2025 19:20

Implement backend architecture in CMake build system

e0dafff

Co-authored-by: kamer1337 <[email protected]>

Update BUILDING.md with backend architecture documentation

1c5da56

Co-authored-by: kamer1337 <[email protected]>

Copilot AI changed the title ~~[WIP] Implement backend architecture for project~~ Implement backend architecture in CMake build system Oct 9, 2025

Copilot AI requested a review from kamer1337 October 9, 2025 19:26

Copilot finished work on behalf of kamer1337 October 9, 2025 19:26

kamer1337 approved these changes Oct 9, 2025

View reviewed changes

kamer1337 marked this pull request as ready for review October 9, 2025 19:28

Copilot AI review requested due to automatic review settings October 9, 2025 19:28

kamer1337 merged commit fed0e47 into master Oct 9, 2025
2 of 8 checks passed

kamer1337 deleted the copilot/implement-backend-architecture branch October 9, 2025 19:28

Copilot AI reviewed Oct 9, 2025

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Implement backend architecture in CMake build system #35

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Copilot AI commented Oct 9, 2025 •

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Overview

Problem

Solution

Graphics Backend Options

Audio Backend Options

Key Features

Example Usage

Build Output Example

Changes

Main CMakeLists.txt

Code/Gfx/CMakeLists.txt

Code/Gel/CMakeLists.txt

BUILDING.md

Testing

Impact

Related Documentation

Next Steps

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Pull Request Overview

Reviewed Changes

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Copilot AI commented Oct 9, 2025 •

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